Most revelers will be hoping for a nice day for Saturday morning’s St. Patrick’s Day parade in
Dublin, but one group of volunteers will pay attention to the weather forecast.

Wind speed and air temperature have the potential to ground or deflate a 35-foot-tall Irish
bear.

The white bear, wearing a green blazer, is one of five large helium balloons to be maneuvered by
dozens of volunteers and professional balloon handlers in this year’s parade. (The bear, in its
debut year, will be joined by a green top hat and three shamrock balloons.)

Along with floats, bands and automobiles, the balloons will make their way along a mile-long
course. The parade will step off at 11 a.m. from Metro Center and travel north on Frantz Road, east
on Bridge Street and south on High Street, ending at Waterford Drive. Spectators can arrive early
to watch the balloons take shape during an Inflation Celebration, starting about 9 a.m.

“We encourage fans, spectators to see the process,” said Mary Jo DiSalvo, a Dublin event
administrator. “People say, ‘Wow, we’re getting to see the behind-the-scenes.’”

The city has moved the pre-parade event from behind Metro Center off Frantz Road to the Graeter’s
parking lot to improve visibility.

The balloons are rented ($500 to $1,200 each) from the Michigan-based Dynamic Displays, whose
employees line up the deflated balloons in the order they will march in the parade. Volunteer
handlers are briefed on safety, logistics and any changes in handling balloons that the weather
might dictate.

Then, inflation begins.

Trish Lackey, another organizer, said 30 minutes is needed to fill all five balloons.

Balloons change from year to year to offer variety, DiSalvo said.

The top hat, which made its debut last year, is a good fit for Dublin, which chose the symbol as
its new logo.

Parade organizers expect the bear to be a hit, too.

“The youthful spectators at the parade,” DiSalvo said, “are really going to like that
character."

Columbus marchers

Dublin isn’t alone in celebrating the Irish holiday with a parade.

The Shamrock Club of Columbus parade will take place on Monday. At 11:30 a.m., the parade will
step off at W. Nationwide Boulevard and travel south on High Street to Broad Street to Veterans
Memorial.

Green-themed floats and bagpipes will wind their way toward Veterans Memorial where the day-long
Irish Family Reunion celebration will follow, said Irene Kenney, office manager for the club.